The Haunch of Venison
The Haunch of Venison is reputed to be 700 years old, and without doubt the most well-known pub in Salisbury.
In my experience pubs that have this sort of reputation can often be a let-down, but not this one.
The minute I walked in here I knew I was going to like it. It’s got all the credentials for being a great historical pub, with old oak beams, wood panelled walls, a good-looking bar – and most of all a friendly welcome.
As there were a few people in the bar, I tucked myself away in what’s called ‘The Horsebox’, a snug which for many years was used for ladies who weren’t allowed into the public bar. I was told that prior to that it was indeed a horsebox, or at least somewhere to tie up the horse while the owner was inside.
The thing about this place is that it oozes history. The pub’s website tells us that it was a hostelry for workers building the Cathedral spire back in the 14th century and the bar’s marble floor came from the Cathedral when some of it had to be replaced.
I found this out when a pile of coins fell from a woodcarving above the fireplace. Apparently, the workers who were laying the tiles used to put coins up on the ridge of the carving when they had some money, and when they didn’t they took them back off again, and the tradition of stacking up the coins continues to this day.
Talking about the pub’s history to the bar manager was a good move because he took me and some other visitors on a tour of the pub. There’s a story that says Winston Churchill and Dwight D Eisenhower used to sit in the Horsebox for a drink after discussing plans for the D-Day Landings, but the barman took us up to see a more likely place in a secret bar at the top of the building at the back. I don’t think it’s used much these days though.
The most famous tale is about a card player who got caught cheating and had his hand cut off (now that’s what I call being dealt a bad hand of cards). The severed hand was put on display as a deterrent in the former bread oven, and for some inexplicable reason somebody decided to steal it, so what you see here now is a replacement.
The barman told us more tales than I could possibly write about here, or even remember, but I thoroughly enjoyed our little tour round. Back in the bar he continued to tell me about how the pewter bar top is only one of six left in the country and which also has an unusual dispenser with seven gravity fed spirit taps.
Bringing things back into the 21st century for a moment, the bar has a decent selection of real ales and wines by the glass, and the bar snacks seemed good value too, but if you fancy things a bit more formal then there’s a nice looking restaurant upstairs.
They don’t offer accommodation, which I think is probably just as well seeing that there’s a resident ghost and secret tunnels here. Behind the pub is St. Thomas’s Church, and our barman friend was telling me tales about how the pub used to have ‘Ladies of the night’ hanging around outside and how priests from the church used the secret tunnels to gain access – with one priest wishing he hadn’t. Don’t ask!
I only popped in here for a quick drink, but after spending more time in here chatting to people longer than I should have done, I had to make a dash before I missed my train, and in so doing forgot to ask the barman how the pub got its name. This was going to my first question – and I still don’t know – so it looks as though I might have to go back again to find out.
Originally posted 2018-07-25 17:09:32.
Lovely review. This has been my local and favourite pub in England for 10 years or so.
Thanks for commenting. You’re a very lucky man to have that as your local. It’s a great pub.
My goodness. I am imagining the history this building has seen. It’s amazing.
If only walls could talk Shey.
I know. I was especially drawn to the outside pic, trying to imagine what it must have looked like there when it first was built
Thanks for continuing to rummage your way through my posts Shey. It’s really appreciated, and I hope you’re enjoying them.
I am indeed. Lots to learn of here. I was interested in your Berkshire/Hampshire section because my dad had ancestors from there way back.
Great. I hope you’ve found some of it useful.
absolutely. Back soon to read more
Looks exactly like my kind of place, I love old joints like that. If I am not mistaken the Prospect of Whitby in Wapping has a pewter top, at least it looks like it. I wonder where the others are, must look it up sometime.
I was in the Prospect of Whitby last year but have to admit that I didn’t take too much notice of the bar
Wow, Malc, this place looks amazing! A horsebox and a hand – how wonderfully quirky and unique. If it’s 700 years old its my kind of place. It’s worth going down to Salisbury for the Haunch of Venison alone! Thanks for sharing.
I had a feeling that you might like the sound of this place 🙂
What a fascinating place!
Thanks for your feedback Barbara and Linda. It’s very much appreciated
Wow! I’ve always thought the our wild west was rough on card sharks, but this place tops anything I’ve heard of before! Thanks Malcom for sharing your visit to, “The Haunch of Venison.”
Malcolm – you have done it again! What a find and what a story you have been able to share about it.